The H-6 a bomber? That is antique. Really belongs in the military museum in Beijing.
US Military News, Reports, Data, etc.
- Thread starter tphuang
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It's been modernised throughout its life. Sort of like the B-52. Different size and class of bombers but equally antiquated yet modernised and certainly still useful.
The US have long retired the SR-71 and A-12 but the U-2 is still in service.
The H-6 modern variants supply the PLA forces with capability that no other aircraft in PLA can. It's not just "long" range bombing and carrying more bombs than JH-7A. Nothing else in PLA can launch the WZ-8 or multiple air launched cruise missiles. The H-6 even air launches ballistic missiles/ HGVs. A Tu-22M would be nicer but it'll take a long time to domesticate and upgrade to do all those novelty jobs the H-6 does. All that time and funding, it's better to just invest more and develop a totally new aircraft that would be a generation ahead of the Tu-22. No indication if there is a JH-xx supersonic attack/bomber in development. Would seem to be a more useful aircraft compared to H-20 if you ask me. Since China's immediate threats are going to be regional.
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TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
The main reason B52, Tu95 and H6 remain in service is as Cruise missile launchers. they can loiter around and let loose very long range stand off munitions.
They already have the launch systems needed for the job and size to boot. Only other platforms large enough for the role would be transport and airliners.
They already have the launch systems needed for the job and size to boot. Only other platforms large enough for the role would be transport and airliners.
When large drone bombers are ready even that will be taken away from them. Robots don’t get tired and won’t have to go to the toilet.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
That might depend on arms control treaties. The Russians were complaining about US drones because under an interpretation of treaty they could be viewed as missiles.
If treaties meant anything then we won’t be seeing the use of cluster munitions or land mines. That said, I think we should return to topic.
The H-6K is way more modern than the B-52. It uses a D-30 turbofan engine with much lower fuel consumption.
The engine operates at a much higher core temperature since it is an around two decades more modern design.
The H-6K has a glass cockpit. We also don't know what the airframe is made from. Considering how recently it was built it might have been built with composites. Back when the B-52 was made even aluminium-lithium alloys weren't in common use. Just because the airframe design also originates from the 1950s does not mean the airplanes are comparable.
The engine operates at a much higher core temperature since it is an around two decades more modern design.
The H-6K has a glass cockpit. We also don't know what the airframe is made from. Considering how recently it was built it might have been built with composites. Back when the B-52 was made even aluminium-lithium alloys weren't in common use. Just because the airframe design also originates from the 1950s does not mean the airplanes are comparable.
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
Yes H6 has been updated as the Chinese build new ones, yes the engines are old on B52 (talk of being replaced) the Cockpit has been updated a few times and is said to be again. However it really doesn’t matter.
H6 isn’t anymore survivable vs moder air defense than B52. You can’t Dale Brown Mega fortress either one. As such they are comparable as peers just as Tu95 is. Since military forces comparison for bombers of going to be based on survival, doctrine, payload. Without stealth Both jets end up in the same role hauling cruise missiles. It’s the missles that really are the deciding factor.
H6 isn’t anymore survivable vs moder air defense than B52. You can’t Dale Brown Mega fortress either one. As such they are comparable as peers just as Tu95 is. Since military forces comparison for bombers of going to be based on survival, doctrine, payload. Without stealth Both jets end up in the same role hauling cruise missiles. It’s the missles that really are the deciding factor.